A personal "behind the scenes" insight from the perspectives of CEO-wife and COO-husband power team into what its like to be a family owned and operated small business called EBSCO Spring Company. www.ebscospring.com

Santa is HERE!

I saw Santa Claus this week. He wasn’t in front of a store with a bell and a red pot. He wasn’t at the mall. He wasn’t in a parade in downtown. He wasn’t wearing his red suit. There was no sleigh and no eight tiny reindeer.

Santa was at City Cycles on Main street in Jenks. Actually there were several Santas there wearing black tee shirts.

Last Thursday, the City of Tulsa Automotive Technician high school class and the Union High School Manufacturing CPT class were all at City Cycles. They were holding their second annual Bike Refurbishing event. They have been collecting bikes in need of repair and at the event, with the assistance of adults from business partners, they rehabilitated the bikes. They fixed up almost sixty bike this year. These bikes will be given to children in need in Tulsa.

Just imagine a child with little hopes of Christmas gifts getting a bike for Christmas!

Ebsco is a business partner of Unions Manufacturing CPT. We are in our second year of supporting the program and sponsoring interns. Three of Ebsco’s team members, Brixey, Pau and Derek volunteered to work with the kids at this event. This is Brixey and Pau in the photo.

As I mentioned, I saw Santa. Brixey, Pau, Derek, the other volunteers, Union High Staff, the owners and staff of City Cycles and the kids, they were Santa for the day. Taking their time, in their improvised Santa’s Workshop to make toys for kids. That is the definition of Santa.

I’m so proud of our relationship with the Union Manufacturing CPT program. It’s tough to get in the program and these are some exceptional young men and women. I’m especially proud of the way our Ebsco team has committed to the program and these kids. It’s not part of their job description and I have no Work Instructions directing them in their actions. This is all about who they are as individuals and I am so proud of who they really are, SANTAs in disguise, helping kids make Christmas a little better for those in need.

As we scramble to make our gift lists, deck the halls and plan the get togethers don’t forget our Santas in the black tee shirts. That’s the true meaning of Christmas Charlie Brown.

Brixey, Derek and Pau are going to need to put on a lot of weight before Christmas Eve to fit in their red suits.